New Act Funds State Systems to Link Emergency Contacts to Driver’s Licenses, But Only If You Opt In

The “To Inform Families First Act of 2025” is straightforward legislation focused on one thing: making sure your family gets notified quickly if you’re in an emergency situation, especially a car accident. Essentially, this bill creates a new grant program, run by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), to help states build the digital infrastructure needed to collect emergency contact information and securely link it to your driver’s license or state ID record (Sec. 2).

Think of it this way: right now, if you’re unconscious after an accident, first responders might have to dig through your wallet or phone to figure out who to call. This system aims to give authorized emergency personnel—and only them—a fast, reliable lookup tool. It’s an efficiency boost for first responders, which translates directly into faster notification for your loved ones.

The Fine Print: What States Have to Do

To get this federal money, states can’t just set up a simple database; they have to follow some strict rules designed to protect your privacy. The bill makes four key requirements mandatory for any state receiving assistance (Sec. 2):

1. It Must Be Voluntary: You must choose to provide your emergency contact information. No one can be forced to participate.
2. Data Security is King: The state system must include “strong protections for data security.” While the bill doesn’t define “strong,” it puts the burden on the states to implement robust safeguards.
3. Access is Restricted: Only authorized emergency personnel can access the information, and only for use during an emergency. This isn't a database for general police work or marketing.
4. No ID Card Printing: Crucially, the information cannot be required to show up on your physical driver’s license or ID card. This keeps the data private and secure, preventing a random cashier or bouncer from seeing who your emergency contact is.

Real-World Impact and Data Concerns

For the average person, this bill means that if your state participates, you’ll likely see an option when you renew your license online or in person to add a contact name and number. If you’re a parent, a traveler, or someone with a chronic medical condition, this voluntary system offers a significant benefit: peace of mind that your spouse or kids won't be left waiting for hours while authorities try to identify you.

However, the reliance on “strong protections for data security” is where the details matter. Since the bill is vague on what that means federally, the actual security level will depend entirely on how well each state implements its system. For example, a state with a modern, well-funded IT department might build a fortress, while a state relying on older tech might leave the door slightly ajar. Given that driver’s license databases already hold a massive amount of personal information, any new system linked to them needs to be absolutely ironclad.

Ultimately, this is a low-risk, high-benefit piece of legislation. It offers federal funding to solve a common, frustrating problem for emergency services, while explicitly building in safeguards—like voluntary participation and restricted access—to protect your privacy. The success of the program now rests on two factors: how many people actually decide to opt-in, and how seriously states take the mandate for “strong” data security.